Ireland in December

Christmas markets and pub sessions; almost everything stops 25–26 December.

• Dublin and the east · Dublin, Wicklow, Boyne Valley, Kilkennycool

  Driest part of the country; mild all year, rarely above 25 °C or below freezing.

• West coast · Galway, Connemara, Clare, Mayo, Donegalstorm or typhoon risk

  Rain on most days, rarely all day; Atlantic storms in winter close cliff paths and island ferries.

• South-west · Kerry, Dingle, West Corkstorm or typhoon risk

  Mildest winters (sub-tropical gardens) but high rainfall; the Ring of Kerry fills with coaches in July–August.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day big impact

  24–26 Dec

  No public transport on Christmas Day; pubs closed on the 25th; limited services on the 26th.

• Christmas

  Dec 25–26 · Dublin

  Almost everything is closed and public transport is minimal.

Crowds · Ireland

Medium

Prices · Ireland

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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Better another month

• West coast

  Rain on most days, rarely all day; Atlantic storms in winter close cliff paths and island ferries.

• South-west

  Mildest winters (sub-tropical gardens) but high rainfall; the Ring of Kerry fills with coaches in July–August.